25 Women Footballers With the Most International Goals (2024)

These 25 outstanding female footballers have contributed to the record-breaking number of goals scored by international players by breaking barriers and rewriting records, leaving a lasting impression on the global stage. Each player’s journey is a monument to their inherent talent and steadfast determination, from their dazzling strikes to their intriguing teamwork. Get ready for an exciting look back at the incredible careers of these legendary goal scorers who have influenced generations and defied expectations. Get ready to explore a captivating world of zeal, ability, and unwavering drive as we commemorate the remarkable achievements of these football superstars, fantastic goal after fantastic goal. They have the bragging rights for the most international goals.

1. Christine Sinclair

Canadian international soccer player Christine Sinclair has scored more goals than any other player in men’s or women’s international football. She has 317 goals in 190 games for Canada, a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. The achievements of Sinclair, a true gaming legend, are simply incredible.

The fact that this remarkable player has the ability to play in a number of positions serves to highlight how spectacular her goal-scoring performance was. She has made her debut in goal, on the wing and even in the middle of the pitch. She is a crucial component of the Canadian team because of her versatility and capacity to score from any point on the pitch.

2. Abby Wambach

American soccer player Abby Wambach is the second-highest goal scorer in men’s or women’s international competition. The only other player to surpass her record of 255 goals in 184 games for the United States in 2020 was Christine Sinclair. Wambach is a legendary athlete whose accomplishments are out of this world.

When you consider her overall performance and ability to play in a variety of positions over her career, her goal-scoring record is even more amazing. She was a striker at first but later played on the flank and even in the middle of the pitch. She was a priceless addition to the USWNT due to her versatility and capacity to score goals from anywhere on the pitch.

3. Mia Hamm

Mia Hamm is among the women’s soccer players with the most goals scored in history. She held the record for the most international goals ever scored by a player, male or female, for more than ten years. She had 158 goals in 158 games from 2004 until 2013, when Abby Wambach broke her record.

When you take into account that Hamm played at a period when women’s football wasn’t as well-liked as it is now, her goal-scoring record is even more impressive. She was one of the first female football players to garner widespread attention, and her record of goals helped pave the way for later generations of female players.

4. Maysa Jbarah

With 113 goals in 110 games, Maysa Jbarah holds the record for the Jordan women’s national team. Only Christine Sinclair of Canada has scored more points than her among active international players.

Given that Jbarah represented Jordan, a nation not generally renowned for having a robust women’s football programme, her goal-scoring record is all the more remarkable. She has frequently been her team’s lone scorer, and in order to succeed, she faced a number of obstacles.

With 113 goals in 110 games, she holds the record for the Jordan women’s national team. Only Christine Sinclair of Canada has scored more points than her among active international players.

Given that Jbarah represented Jordan, a nation not generally renowned for having a robust women’s football programme, her goal-scoring record is all the more remarkable. She has frequently been her team’s lone scorer, and in order to succeed, she faced a number of obstacles.

Jbarah’s track record of goal scoring demonstrates her talent, dedication, and love for the game. She is a role model for young women across the country and one of the top female soccer players in Jordanian history.

5. Birgit Prinz

One of the most prolific goal scorers in women’s soccer history is Birgit Prinz. She is Germany’s all-time best scorer with 128 goals in 214 games for the national team. She also shared the record for the most goals ever scored with 14 in five World Cups. In 1999, her maiden World Cup participation, she earned a hat trick. In the 2003 World Cup, she helped Germany win the competition with 10 goals.

Prinz’s goal-scoring record is all the more impressive given that she played at a time when women’s football was less well-known than it is now. Her record of goals scored helped pave the way for later generations of female soccer players because she was one of the first female players to receive global notice.

6. Julie Fleeting

Given that Fleeting represented Scotland, a nation not well renowned for its strong women’s football programme, her goal-scoring record is all the more astonishing. She has frequently been her team’s lone scorer, and in order to succeed, she faced a number of obstacles. With 116 goals in 121 games, Julie Fleeting holds the record for most goals scored by a member of the Scotland women’s national team. She ranks third in scoring among current international players, after Christine Sinclair of Canada and Maysa Jbarah of Jordan. At the tender age of 16, she scored her first goal on a big stage in 1996.

She scored a hat trick in her World Cup debut in 2007. With her 10 goals at the 2009 European Championship, she assisted Scotland in reaching the semi-finals. She scored her 116th and last goal on the international level in a friendly game against the Netherlands in 2015. The incredible achievement of Fleeting’s goal-scoring record will endure for a very long time in recollection.

7. Marta

Marta is among the women’s soccer players with the most goals scored in history. She has scored 17 goals in her 19 World Cup appearances, a record for the tournament. She has also scored 117 goals in 186 games for the Brazilian national team, the most of any player in team history. She scored her first goal on the world stage in 2002, when she was just 16 years old. In 2003, she notched a hat trick on her first World Cup appearance. During the 2007 World Cup, her seven goals allowed Brazil to advance to the title game. She scored 10 goals during the 2019 World Cup, helping Brazil advance to the semi-finals.

Given that she played during a time when women’s football was becoming increasingly professionalised, Marta’s goal-scoring record is even more astonishing. She has consistently found a way to score goals while competing against some of the top goalkeepers and defenders in the world.

8. Patrizia Panico

One of the female football players in history with the most goals scored is Patrizia Panico. She holds the record for the most goals ever scored in the history of Italy’s top women’s league, Serie A (647 in 656 games). With 107 goals scored in 196 games for the Italian national team, she is now the second-highest scorer among active international players in the globe.

Panico’s goal-scoring feat is even more remarkable when you take into account the roughly 20-year span between her playing days in 1993 and 2016. She routinely attempts daring free kicks and consistently scores both inside and outside the penalty area. She is a very versatile player who can play a variety of front-line positions.

9. Sun Wen

Sun Wen is one of the female soccer players who has scored the most goals in history. She participated in 158 games for the Chinese national team, scoring 158 goals overall, which is a record for the team. With 14 goals in her five World Cup appearances, she also established a record for the competition. In 1999, she scored 10 goals to help China get to the World Cup final. With her 14 goals, she contributed to China winning the bronze medal at the 2003 World Cup. In 2002, she received the FIFA World Player of the Year award. In 2015, she was admitted into the FIFA Hall of Fame. The only competitor to score in three FIFA Women’s World Cups is she.

Her goal-scoring record is even more impressive when you consider that Sun Wen played in a time before women’s soccer was as professionally organized as it is today. Even while playing against some of the best goalkeepers and defenders in the world, she frequently found a way to score goals.

10. Portia Modise

The number of goals Modise has scored is astounding for a variety of reasons. She played when professional women’s football in South Africa was not as developed as it is now. Second, she consistently scored the team’s lone goal, overcoming several obstacles in the process. Her ability to play a number of positions up front made her a versatile player, which was her third strength. She made 109 goals in 154 games for the South African national team, which is a record for the squad. She also set a record for the most goals scored by an African player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with 16 goals in 15 games.

11. Asisat Oshoala

One of the female football players in history with the most goals scored is Asisat Oshoala. She has made 101 appearances for the Nigerian national team, scoring 73 goals in those games to set a team record. With 13 goals in 18 games, she also leads all African players in goals scored at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She contributed 10 goals to Nigeria’s World Cup quarterfinal appearance. At both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, she is the only player to have taken home the Golden Boot. In 2014, 2016 and 2017, she was named African Women’s Footballer of the Year. In 2015, she received the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Oshoala’s previous goals are significant for a variety of reasons. She first played when Nigerian women’s football was beginning to become more professional. Second, despite participating in several clubs and competitions, she has kept up her goal-scoring form. Third, she can play a variety of positions up front due to her versatility as a player.

12. Abby Erceg

One of the most prolific female goal scorers in New Zealand football history is Abby Erceg. She has participated in 127 games for the New Zealand national team, and her 58 goals are a team record. She also holds the record for the most goals scored by a New Zealand player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with 31 goals in 56 games.

Erceg’s history of scoring goals is notable for a variety of reasons. She started competing as women’s football in New Zealand started to become more professional. Second, despite participating in several clubs and competitions, she has kept up her goal-scoring form.

13. Kristine Lilly

One of the female football players in history with the most goals scored is Kristine Lilly. She participated in 354 games for the US national team, a record for the group, and she scored 130 goals. She also led all American players with 12 goals in 19 games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

It’s notable that Lilly has scored many goals for a variety of reasons. She competed while women’s football in America had not yet reached the level of professionalisation that it has today. Second, despite playing for multiple clubs and in various leagues, she was still able to score goals.

14. Wang Shuang

One of China’s top female soccer goal scorers in history is Wang Shuang. She has the most goals in team history with 68 in 134 games for the Chinese national team. Additionally, with 13 goals in 19 games, she leads all Chinese players at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in goals scored.

The goals Shuang has previously scored are notable for a variety of reasons. She is a skilled player who can fill a variety of front-line positions. Second, despite participating in several clubs and competitions, she has kept up her goal-scoring form. Third, she poses a scoring danger because of her prowess as a playmaker and dribbler.

15. Li Ying

One of the most prolific goal scorers in Chinese women’s football history is Li Ying. She is the second-highest goal scorer in team history with 61 goals in 105 games for the Chinese national team. In addition, she holds the most goals scored by a Chinese player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with 16 in 19 games.

Many things make Li Ying’s prodigious goal scoring amusing. Being only 5’4″ tall, she is a little player. She isn’t especially swift or powerful either. Third, she excels at scoring goals in crucial games. For instance, China advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup thanks to Li Ying’s hat trick against South Korea. She also scored the game-winning goal in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against Germany.

16. Cindy Parlow Cone

Parlow Cone’s goal-scoring record is astounding for a variety of reasons. She plays midfield, a position that isn’t typically linked to goal scoring. Second, at barely 5’4″ tall, she is a diminutive player. Thirdly, she isn’t particularly strong or fast.

Despite these flaws, she was a prolific goal scorer thanks to her skill as a setter and deadly shooting. She was a highly sharp player who could find room in the penalty spot and successfully finish chances. For a midfielder, her track record of scoring goals is quite outstanding. She made 158 appearances for the team, which is the most of any midfielder in USWNT history. In those 158 games, she scored 75 goals. She also had the most goals scored by a midfielder in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with 12 in 17 games.

17. Tiffeny Milbrett

One of the female soccer players with the most goals scored in history is Tiffeny Milbrett. She participated in 231 games for the American national team, a record for the group, and she scored 100 goals. With 14 goals in 19 games, she also had the most goals among all American players at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. When she was barely 18 years old, she scored her first goal on the international stage in 1991. On her debut at the 1995 World Cup, she took home three victories. She helped the United States win the World Cup in 1999 with her 10 goals. She is the only player to have won the Golden Boot twice at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

18. Renate Lingor

Renate Lingor is among the women’s soccer players with the most goals scored in history. The most of any German player, she made 149 appearances for the German national team. 35 goals were scored by her during that period. She also had the most goals among all German players at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with 12 in 18 games. She was given the German Footballer of the Year award in 1995 and 2003. She was a FIFA World Player of the Year finalist on two separate occasions. She is the only participant to have scored in three FIFA Women’s World Cups.

Lingor has a remarkable goal scoring record for a variety of reasons. She played when professional women’s football in Germany wasn’t as well-established as it is now. Second, despite playing for multiple clubs and in various leagues, she was still able to score goals. Her ability to play a number of positions up front made her a versatile player, which was her third strength. Renate Lingor, a great football player from Germany, is an example to other players due to her long tally of goals.

19. Lara Dickenmann

One of the most prolific female goal scorers in Swiss history is Lara Dickenmann. She had 160 appearances for the national team, which is the most of any Swiss player, and she scored 53 goals. With 13 goals in 24 games, she also led all Swiss players in goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Dickenmann scored three goals against Ecuador to help Switzerland advance to the knockout stage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She also scored the game-winning goal at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 against Sweden.

20. Alex Morgan

One of the female soccer players with the most goals scored in history is Alex Morgan. She has participated in 191 games for the US national team, and her 118 goals rank second all-time for the squad. With 19 goals in 25 games, she also placed third among American players in FIFA Women’s World Cup goal scoring. Morgan helped the United States move to the semi-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup by scoring a hat trick against England in the quarterfinals. In the final game, she also scored the game-winning goal against the Netherlands.

21. Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith is one of the female football players in history with the most goals scored. With 46 goals in 117 games, she held the record for England’s most goals scored in an international match for more than ten years. She scored goals using a range of shooting strategies, such as long range shots and accurate finishes in the penalty area. She has the ability to open up scoring possibilities for her teammates as well as for herself. She had great passing and dribbling skills.

In the 2009 UEFA Women’s Champions League final, Smith scored one of her most memorable goals. In the second half, Arsenal was down 1-0 against Barcelona when Smith scored an incredible goal from 25 yards out to draw the game. The result substantially influenced Arsenal’s 2-1 triumph.

22. Carolina Morace

Morace was a talented dribbler and creator in addition to being a skilled finisher with both feet. She had a variety of ways to score, including long distance goals and tap-ins within the box. She was a strong team player who was always willing to assist her teammates. She is the all-time best scorer for the Italian national team with 105 goals in 153 games. She played for teams in Italy, the US, and Japan throughout her club career, contributing more than 550 goals overall.

In 1991, Morace scored one of her most famous goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She contributed to Italy’s 5-0 victory over Chinese Taipei by scoring the first hat-trick in Women’s World Cup history. The crucial goal, one of the most significant in Italian women’s football history, enabled Italy to advance to the competition’s quarterfinals.

23. Wang Shanshan

One of the most prolific goal scorers in Chinese women’s football history is Wang Shanshan. She is the Chinese national team’s all-time leading scorer with 91 goals in 121 games. She played for teams in China, Sweden, and the United States during her club career, scoring over 100 goals overall. During the 2017 season, she scored 10 goals in one game for Tianjin Quanjian. In 2019, she received the Asian Footballer of the Year award. She was selected for the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World XI.

One of Wang’s most cherished goals came at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She scored a hat-trick as China defeated Cameroon 5-1 to qualify to the quarterfinals of the competition. The goal was one of the most important in Chinese women’s football history.

24. Marie-Laure Delie

One of the most prolific goal scorers in French women’s football history is Marie-Laure Delie. She ranks third among France’s national team scorers with 64 goals in 121 appearances. She played for teams in France, England, and Spain throughout her club career, scoring over 100 goals overall. She had ten hat tricks and led France. She scored 10 goals for Montpellier in a single game in 2009. She was given the French Player of the Year title in 2010 and 2011. She was chosen for the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2011. Delie’s favourite goal is one she scored at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She scored the game-winning goal in the 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Norway to advance France to the semi-finals.

25. Naomi Kawasumi

One of the most prolific goal scorers in the annals of Japanese women’s football is Nahomi Kawasumi. She ranks as the second-highest scorer for the Japanese national team with 89 goals in 162 appearances. She played for teams in China, the US, and Japan throughout her club career, scoring over 100 goals overall. She led Japan with the help of 12 hat tricks. For INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2013, she scored ten goals in a single game. In 2011, she received the Asian Footballer of the Year honour. In 2011, she was selected for the FIFA FIFPro World XI.

At the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011, the supertar took part and scored one of her favourite goals. She contributed to Japan’s first World Cup victory by scoring the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over the United States. One of the most important goals in the history of Japanese women’s football, this one.

Kawasumi’s prior goals demonstrate her talent and commitment. Her legacy will continue to motivate players for a very long time. She has significantly advanced female football in Japan.

These wonderful players will be remembered for a very long time for their contribution to women soccer and their remarkable goal-scoring abilities.